When it comes to the Pan Asian food, Chinese and Japanese food have surely made inroads into convincing the Indian taste buds. However, Malaysian cuisine is yet to find its feet in a country that already offers varied cuisines, so Jom Jom Malay is quite breath of fresh air, of a spanking new cuisine that Delhi is yet to get used to.
As you walk into the restaurant, you get consumed by the cheerful playful interiors and bright colours that fill the walls of this happy little place. It’s small, adeptly planned space with quirky elements and authentic tones of Malaysian aesthetics. The menu reads like an exciting chapter of Asian cuisine, expansive yet strictly Malay.
We started off with a DIY spice tray of Make Your Own Sambal, where the server brings over a cane tray of tinny bowls of condiments out of which we are are expected to make our own sambal, it’s a fun activity, and also gives the diners something to do while the food gets ready! Quite smart there.
The Satay Platter next reveals the potential for sophistication in Malaysia’s food culture. An array of chicken, lamb, fish and prawn satay sticks looking as juicy and succulent as possible, served with a coarse peanut sauce and curry with fresh salad. Extremely well cooked, the meat was beautifully marinated and cooked to an utter decadence with rich spices.
Assorted Malay Baos were the piece de resistance for me. For someone who has tasted the best Baos in the country, these came very close to the top.
Lamb Bao, Chicken Bao and Duck Bao most juicy, stupendously flavoured and soft as cotton on the palate, these were melting in the mouth.
The seasoning was spot on and I loved the balance of texture and flavours. The Duck Bao was pleasantly sweet not a honey stickler which is usually the case with these but just on point. These were the highlight of my much luxurious meal.
Lamb Murtabak will be loved by those of a more indianised Palate. It’s basically an eggy fried Parantha stuffed with juicy curry meat bits served with a rich curry sauce. Such a chunky orgasmic starter crunchy yet soft in the centre and oh so lovely.
The drinks menu is deliciously crafted with Asian flavours and spices. I absolutely fell in love with their green mango mocktail. Try their sweet potions. Complex and delicious.
The restaurant serves Malaysia classics in a refined manner, which nevertheless retains the punchiness of the typical Malay flavours.
•Lamb Rendang with Roti Canai: served in a smoke bowl, fancy yet seductively rich looking with most authentic Rendang creamy Curry with succulent pieces of lamb paired with a savoury Parantha like bread called roti Canai. Fabulous. Resembles Indian meals In a way yet very Malay.
•Nasi Lemak with Chicken and Prawns is a typical Malay dish with curried meaty rice flavoured impeccably with perfumed spices with curry and a runny fried egg on top. Bellisama!
Not expecting to be even more floored with dessert because well, c’mon I never walked out of an Asian restaurant with love tales of the dessert but Jom Jom Malay had me at my knees with the Coconut Cheesecake. A creamy slice of thick earthy am creamy slightly sweet cheesecake, so fresh and redolent with tropical flavour of coconut, it was a clever dessert, fluffy yet indulgent. Do not miss out on this!
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*Verdict*
Expect technicolour curries and soups which make your lips pucker, cloying heat of honey-chilli sauces and anonymous bits of meats stuck on to a skewer and sold as satay.
Full disclosure: we love all that fire, smoke and cheer in Jom Jom Malay but the food is the real revelation.
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